LAWYERS representing Bahrain’s main opposition group, accused of violating the law, did not show up at the first court hearing yesterday.

However, representatives of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society said they were not informed of the hearing date at the High Administrative Court.

The group has been taken to court by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry for allegedly violating the Political Societies Law.

A case was lodged by the ministry on July 20 to suspend all of the society’s activities, accusing it of holding two general assemblies without following the quorum rules – and calling for two similar meetings without following transparency requirements.

Al Wefaq yesterday claimed it never received the summoning notice, which it said was sent to the society’s former headquarters in Bilad Al Qadeem.

“The first trial of the case was held yesterday without the society receiving a notice,” said a statement.

“We tried to communicate with the ministry but it insisted on leaving the matter to the court.”

The judge adjourned the trial to October 21 to summon the society to court.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Justice Development Movement (JDM), which is facing similar charges, were also due to appear in the same court yesterday, but failed to show up.

The ministry filed a case against JDM for not notifying officials about holding its general conference in 2012 and election conference last year.

The trial was also adjourned to October 21 to summon the leaders of the political society to court.

The National Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad) will also appear at the same court next Tuesday.

The ministry filed a case against the society for renewing the term of its secretary-general Ibrahim Sharif, who is serving time behind bars on charges related to espionage.

The GDN earlier reported that the ministry accused Al Wefaq of holding “illegal” general assemblies, saying that all the decisions taken in these meetings were invalid.
Claim
However, Al Wefaq’s secretary-general Shaikh Ali Salman claimed at the time that authorities were using pressure tactics so that the society would take part in the upcoming polls expected to be held in November.
He further alleged that Al Wefaq was being targeted following a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Tom Malinowski, who was expelled from Bahrain in July.
Mr Malinowski was declared persona non grata by the Foreign Affairs Ministry for meddling in domestic affairs.